Tata Martino revealed he was concerned in the early stages of Barcelona’s Copa win over Levante but much happier as the game went on.
Levante took the lead in the second-leg through Lukas Vyntra but Barca held a 4-1 advantage from the first encounter and eventually won 5-1 on Wednesday.
“I was worried in the first 15 minutes,” Martino told a post-match Press conference.
“Not only for the goal against us but because we lacked intensity.
“Then we played some 70-odd minutes with good intensity and ability to score a goal.
“I’m satisfied.”
Martino unveiled a tactical shift in the match at Camp Nou, using Alexis Sanchez, usually the right-sided winger, in the No. 9 position.
It’s an idea the Coach says he may return to in future.
“Alexis is a player who plays with such intensity that it is possible he’ll play more games in the position,” Martino told reporters.
The game saw the return of Andres Iniesta, who had missed the last three weeks of fixtures with injury. The midfielder played the first 45 minutes of the match before he was withdrawn, all part of the plan according to Martino.
“We had talked with Andres about playing 45 minutes.
“I wanted to give him minutes but felt it was prudent to play 45. He’s already full recovered.”
Martino, who also thanked the crowd who braved bad weather to watch the game, added that he sees no need to extend his contract a further year, after it was reported new President Josep Maria Bartomeu intended to do so.
“It’s not true we’ve spoken about it,” Martino said.
“I’m very happy with the support that I have and I don’t need a gesture of that nature.
“I feel supported but we haven’t talked about it.”